IKEA is reissuing classic pieces from the 1950s to the 1990s

Rita Notes: American garden furniture

A Rum Fellow

The couple behind A Rum Fellow have the enviable job of searching the globe for the unique hand-woven fabrics, to create extraordinary pieces of furniture and home accessories. We ask Dylan, one of the brains behind the brand, to reveal his top tips for Clerkenwell Design Week and what we should expect from their new collection...

Q. Where did you draw the inspiration for your latest collection?

A. We draw on different themes but a good starting point is always Mayan designs, which feed our desire for geometrics and colour. For our new brocade designs we've taken colour inspiration from the dusty bright hues of colonial architecture - softer but still vivid. In our furniture and upholstery we've been inspired by the opulent flair of Art Deco hotels.

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Q. What should we expect to see at CDW?

A. We are launching a new range of ikat designs and colours. Last year at CDW we introduced our first ikat design on a wing chair, which was very well received (and recently featured in a Farrow & Ball advert). Building around this we have three new designs and four new colourways. We are unveiling new furniture designs, and an exciting new 'furniture planner' tool for interior designers to make it very easy to achieve unique statement seating with our fabrics.

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Q.What is your favourite piece from your collection?

A. I'm in love with our new 'Hatton' tub chair. It is upholstered with the new ikat 'Toliman' design on the seat and a lovely soft coloured brocade design around the outside of the back. The combination works beautifully.

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Q. With your stand at CDW this year - what are the essential items you will be taking with you?

A. Masking tape, sketchbook and fruit and nut mix for when I miss lunch.

IKEA is reissuing classic pieces from the 1950s to the 1990s

Q. Who will you be looking out for at CDW?

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Q. What is your one survival tip for CDW?

A. The 'notes' app on the iPhone. I can't live without it, I jot down everything inspirational I've seen and keep it for reference later.

Q. What was the last thing you bought?

A. We're refurbishing our house so we've been buying a lot recently. My favourite is oak parquet flooring, which will run throughout the downstairs. The next thing I want to buy is gold cutlery…

Q. A recent find you can't live without?

A. The 'Zermatt' weekend bag from Mimi Berry, it's gorgeous soft black leather with contrast tan leather handles. We're partially homeless due to a lack of a kitchen so I'm living out of it at the moment.

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Q. If your studio was on fire, what would be the first thing you would save?

A. Definitely our textile archive. We have amassed a collection of textiles from our travels, each is a handcrafted work of art and totally irreplaceable.

Q. Being an avid traveller, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A. Rio De Janeiro would be an incredible city to live in. It is a dramatic place with beautiful beaches, stunning mountains and a lagoon all within the city.